The First ASEAN e-Travel Mart Announced

The inaugural ASEAN e-Travel Mart will take place in Bangkok 23-25 March 2011. The new event, is being organized by Bangkok-based Tourism Technology Association (TTA) and the ASEAN Tourism Association, which has its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The e-Travel Mart is being created for ASEAN travel industry operators such as hotels, tour operators, and hospitality companies who want to find additional channels for their business in the tourism industry, whether as buyers or sellers.People who attend the mart will learn how to more efficiently sell and distribute hotel rooms, tours, air tickets and related travel services through using the latest, user-friendly electronic platforms. Other target groups for the mart are travel buyers from around the world and IT experts specializing in the travel industry.

“Organizations don’t have to be tech savvy to attend,” said Mr Apichai Sakulsureeyadej, President of the TTA. “But they should be striving to go down the path towards better profits through the smarter use of technology.” The travel industry in ASEAN has not been adopting new technologies as fast as their counterparts in Japan, North America and Europe, said Apichai. “Given the importance of the internet and electronic technology to the tourism industry, tourism operators must wake up to the new methods and channels to trade with each other,” he said.

During the event, participants will be able to meet buyers and sellers from around the ASEAN region, create new trade partnerships, and connect their websites or IT systems to view real-time inventory, prices and dates for faster bookings. Those who are not up-to-date with their IT systems can also consult with IT solution providers.  Software vendors will be present to cater to companies aiming to upgrade their IT or web platform.

The first ever Electronic Standards for the ASEAN Tourism Industry will be announced during the mart. The standards, which are compatible with the Open Travel Alliance Standards, will make it easier to link inventory and technical systems among disparate travel operators across ASEAN. A series of seminars will run through the event, with keynote speakers focusing on successful case studies of tourism operators using various technologies.

ASEAN has committed itself to substantial integration by 2015 in multiple sectors, including tourism. ASEANTA Chairman, Mr Felix Cruz, said that a common technology platform was imperative. “Our objective is to bring buyers and sellers within the industry together united by a commitment to greater technology integration in tourism,” he said. “Whether it is for websites, integration and real-time access, bookings or electronic payments, the mart will encourage the expansion of ASEAN’s tourism sector through the smart use of the latest e-technologies,” said Mr Cruz.

The inaugural ASEAN e-Travel Mart is being co-organized by Thailand’s Institute of Trade and Development, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thailand’s Software Industry Promotion Agency. The event is being supported by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau. The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a global partner.

Source=etravelblackboardasia